Foot Care
Feet and Overall Health
It has been said that our feet can act as indicators of the overall state of health of our bodies. It is even true that some health conditions that have pervasive effects on the body, such as arthritis, circulatory problems, and diabetes, are first detected when signs and symptoms are noticed in the feet. For this reason, it is important to monitor seniors’ feet and seek consultation with a healthcare professional whenever changes occur or new difficulties arise.
What to Look For
Some things to look out for that may indicate greater health concerns include:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Constant Feelings of Cold
- Discolouration
- Dry Skin
- Weak Nails
Seniors and Their Feet
Seniors have been walking around on their feet for a great many years by the time they reach old age, and the accumulation of all the wear and tear, along with natural changes that come with aging, that has occurred over those years makes seniors’ feet more fragile and vulnerable to developing problems. As a part of the aging process, feet will often flatten out and lose some of the cushioning that exists at the bottom of the foot, while the health of bones, ligaments, skin, and nails also change with age.
Foot Problems
As a result of the amount of wear and tear that feet sustain over the course of all the years leading up to old age, it is possible for the feet to develop a whole host of problems that impact seniors’ mobility, comfort levels, and lives as a whole. The following are some concerns commonly faced by seniors:
- Bunions
- Corns/Calluses
- Dry Skin
- Hammertoes
- Heel Spurs
- Infections
- Warts
As seniors grow older and experience changes in their mobility, it can become more challenging for them to attend to the care of their own feet. In these cases, it can be beneficial to seek out support from care providers like Nurse Anytime, who offer foot care for seniors in Edmonton, Sherwood Park and St. Albert. Caring for seniors’ feet is an important part of caring for their overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.